but tonight, first lady michelle obama will try to get her party back on message after they bungled a very simple question. susan mcginnis is at the convention center this morning. susan, good morning to you. >> reporter: hi, good morning, terrell. yeah, michelle obama was here yesterday doing an informal rehearsal, a warm-up for tonight, when she will address millions of americans, and democrats hope, help convince them that they are better off than four years ago. the stage has been built, the party platform released, and democrats are ready to kick off their 2012 convention. >> this has been such a historic time, i couldn't imagine not coming. >> reporter: but as the festivities begin, republicans won't let go of the question, are americans better off than they were four years ago? >> the president can say a lot of things, and he will, but he can't tell you that you're better off. >> reporter: the obama team opened the door to the attacks when some, including maryland governor martin o'malley, had trouble answering the question. >> can you honestly say that people are better off to